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Water polo teams speedy

Boys will rely on sophomores

If the Madras girls water polo team is going to repeat its success from last year, someone will have to emerge as the team goal keeper. Madras, which finished fourth at the Class 5A/4A state championship tournament last season, has speed and skillful players returning, but head coach Bobby DeRoest said the team's goalkeeper is in question. Seniors Brianna Hunt and Elizabeth Armitage return for Madras, and both players earned Central Oregon first-team honors for their play in 2011. "We're going to be fast," said DeRoest of his squad that earned the Central Oregon Conference regular-season title last year. "We have several experienced swimmers on this squad, including Brianna and Elizabeth." Sophomores Aurora Gerhardt and Sophie Gemelas also return for Madras, and the two of them earned Central Oregon second-team honors last season. "We have a group of sophomores that will play a large role on this team," DeRoest said. Senior Jessica Stinson and junior Ashton Kingsley return from last year's team, and Madras welcomes sophomores Cirelle Frank and Jordan Leonard, along with freshman Felisa Armitage. "We will be a lot faster than most teams we play, and with that we will compete at a high level," DeRoest said. Last weekend, Madras went 10-0 in the Redmond jamboree, and that has the team excited. "We played some bigger schools in the jamboree and beat them, so they know they will be pretty good this year," DeRoest said. Madras will host Mountain View Sept. 4 and Summit Sept. 6 at the Madras Aquatic Center.